Lath and attachment means therefor



Sept. 29, 1959 J. R. ESTEY 2,906,060

LATH AND ATTACHMENT MEANS THEREFOR Original Filed Feb. 20, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. v JZMES LPqmE/v 271 4 BY H15 ArmeA/Eys 25 a Ewe/s, K1201, Fsree 6 H4225.

Sept. 29, 1959 J. R. ESTEY 2,906,060

LATH AND ATTACHMENT MEANS THEREFOR Original Filed Feb. 20, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 .Fc ra 15.

first 11 INVENTOR. JZMES RayzDE/v 14 5755 BY #49 .drraQ/veys'.

Jake/21s, K 150,4, 1 6572;? (3%?9/6 Sept. 29, 1959 J. R. ESTEY 2,906,060

LATH AND ATTACHMENT MEANS THEREFOR Original Filed Feb. 20, 1948 I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 BY #15 firrqexveys.

j'i ieezs, k/ECH, .Fsree 515121221 United States LATH AND ATTACNT MEANS THEREFQR James Royden Estey, South Pasadena, Qalifi, assignor to Aluminex Incorporated, Los Angeles, Calif, a corporation of California 8 Claims. (Cl. 47-26) My invention relates in general to lath structures and, more particularly, to laths for use in such structures and to means for attaching the laths to a frame.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a lath structure which utilizes laths or lath members in tension between elements of the frame, such tensioning of the laths permitting the use of light weight laths having minimal material requirements, which makes for lighter and less expensive structures. Preferably the laths are formed of relatively thin sheet metal, such as aluminum, or one of its many alloys. However, other materials may also be used.

An important object of the present invention is to provide in a structure of the character described a lath member having end portions which are adapted to be looped around the desired frame elements or members and which are adapted to secure the lath to such frame members in a tensioned state. A related object is to provide a lath member having at its ends tongues which are adapted to be bent around the frame members to which it is to be connected so as to secure it thereto. Still another object in this connection is to provide a lath member having tabs adapted to be bent or clinched to form locking elements for such tongues and, if desired, to retain other locking elements in place.

An additional object is to provide a channel-shaped lath member to attain relative rigidity even with thin sheet material. In the embodiments of the invention dis- -.closed herein, an object is to provide a channel-shaped lath member having a base portion and a pair of edge portions extending from the base portion in which each of the edge portions is bent upon itself toward the base portion to reinforce and further rigidify the lath member. The use of a channel-shaped lath member attains another important result in that, when used as a sloping, upwardly-facing roof lath member, it acts to convey rainfall intercepted thereby to a suitable point of disposal, such as a roof edge, gutter, or the like.

Another object is to provide a lath structure having a .frame member which is common to two groups of lath members, such as roof and wall lath members, each lath member being connected at one end to the frame member in the foregoing manner. A related object is to provide a structure wherein the ends of the lath members of one group are interposed between the ends of the lath members of the other.

An important object of the invention is to provide in a structure of the character described means for maintaining a plurality of substantially parallel lath members in spaced relationship, comprising a spacing member which extends across the lath members and which is se cured thereto.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a structure of the character described a plurality of spaced, substantially parallel lath members some of which are connected at one end to a frame member and others of which are not connected to the frame member but are supported by adjacent connected lath members. More atent G Z specifically, an object of the invention is to provide means for fastening such as unconnected lath member to an adjacent lath member which is connected to the frame member.

The foregoin objects of my invention and the advantages suggested thereby, together with various other ob- {jects and advantages which will be evident hereinafter, may be attained through the utilization of the exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the accompanying ,drawings and which are described in detail hereinafter. Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of a lath structure illustrating the manner in which lath members of the invention are connected to a frame;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View which is taken along the broken line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are fragmentary perspective views exemplifying a method of making one embodiment of a lath member of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating means for maintaining a plurality of lath members in spaced relationship;

. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view which is taken along the broken line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating another embodiment of a lath member;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating still another embodiment of a lath member;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along the broken line ii ii of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the lath member illustrated in Fig. 10 connected to a frame member;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken along the broken line 13-13 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view showing still another embodiment of a lath member;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the lath member illustrated in Fig. 14 connected to a frame member;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken along the broken line 1616 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary perspective view of still another embodiment of a lath member;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the lath member illustrated in Fig. 17 connected to a frame member;

Fig. 19 is a sectional view which is taken along the broken line 19-19 of Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary perspective view of still another embodiment of a lath member;

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the lath member illustrated in Fig. 20 connected to a frame member; and 1 Figs. 22 and 23 are sectional views taken along the broken lines 2222 and 2323, respectively, of Fig. 21.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the lath structure of the invention illustrated therein includes a frame comprising an eave member 65, supporting members 64 and 66 therefor, and a lower wall frame member 101. Roof lath members 85 and 85a are connected, directly or indirectly, to the cave member 65, and wall lath members 100 and 100a are connected, directly or indirectly, to the cave member 65 and the lower wall frame member 101, all as will be described in more detail hereinafter. The members 64, 65, 66 and 101 may be tubular as shown, or they may be solid, and the members 65 and 101 in particular may be smaller or larger than shown relative to the lath members 85, a, and 100a. The lower wall frame member 101 is preferably freely slidable on the members 64 and 66 so that it is supported solely by the lath members 100 3 to maintain tension in these lath members, although the member 101 may be secured by pins 217 and 225 through the members 64 and 66, respectively.

The following paragraphs will be devoted to a detailed description of the roof and wall lath members 85 and 100 and the manner in which they are connected to the frame. Except for the fact that they may be of different lengths, the wall and roof lath members 85 and waste identical in the particular construction thus far considered, and the following description is applicable to both types. However, wall and roof lath members of difierent'constructions may be employed as will be dis cussed in more detail hereinafter.

- In Figs. 3 to 5 of the drawings, I show a method of making one of the lath members 85 or 100, and, referring particularly to Fig. 3, it will be seen that one step of the method involves bending a strip of material, preferably a metal such as aluminum, for example, to form a channel member having a base portion 245 and a pair of edge portions 246 extending from the base portion, the edge portions subsequently being doubled toward the base portion, as shown in Fig. 4, for reinforcement purposes. As will be discussed in more detail hereinafter, although I have shown the edge portions 246 as forming obtuse angles with the base portion 245, such angles may be increased or decreased depending upon the amount of light and/ or rain which is to be excluded by a given lath member.

Another step involved in manufacturing one of the lath members 85 or 100 comprises forming at each end of the channel member illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings an elongated tongue 247, as shown in Fig. 5. Each tongue 247 is provided with a reduced end portion or tab 248 which is insertable into a slot 249 in the base portion 245 of the lath member. Although the foregoing description suggests that the tongum 247 at the ends of each lath member may be formed after it is provided with its channel-shaped cross section, this is not necessarily the case since the tongues may be formed first if desired.

In Fig. 6 of the drawings I have illustrated the manner in which one of the lath members may be secured at one end to a frame member 250 (shown in phantom) by means of the tongue 247 at that end thereof, the frame member 250 being representaive of any of the frame members to which the lath members 85 and 100 are attached. Referring to Fig. 6 the lath member is connected to the frame member 250 by bending the tongue 247 thereon around the frame member and inserting the tab 248 thereon into the slot 249, the tab subsequently being bent or clinched, as indicated by the numeral 251, to secure the lath member to the frame member. Preferably, the lath members are formed of a material which may be bent readily, e.g., aluminum, so that the tongues may be bent around the frame members by hand if desired, although it may be desirable to use a suitable tool, such as a pair of pliers, for example, to draw the tabs 248 on the tongues through the slots 249 and to clinch them. The lath members 85 and 100 are also preferably formed of a relatively thin material primarily for the purpose. of reducing the over-all weight of the structure and incidentally for the purpose of facilitating bending of the tongues 247.

With the foregoing description of the details of one of the lath members 85 or 100 in mind, the manner in which the lath members cooperate to form the roof and walls of a lath structure will now be described in detail with particular reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. Fig. 1, although illustrating only a portion of a roof and one side wall, exemplifies the relationship of the roof and wall lath members 85 and 10%} throughout the entire structure.

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, I show fragments of a plurality of roof lath members 85 each connected at end to. the cave member 65, the tongues 247 at such ends of the roof lath members being bent around the cave member and the tabs 248 on the tongues being inserted into the slots 249 and clinched (see Fig. 2) in the manner previously described. A plurality of wall lath members 100 are connected at their ends to the cave member 65 and to the lower wall frame member 101 in a similar manner, the wall lath members being staggered with respect to the roof lath members so that the tongues 247 of the wall lath members which are bent around the cave member 65 are interposed between the tongues of the roof lath members which are bent therearound. The tongues 247 on the wall and roof lath members may be of such a width that adjacent tongues are in contact, or substantially in contact, to maintain the roof lath members and the wall latch members in spaced relationship. Additional means for spacing the wall lath members in particular are also provided, as will be discussed in more detail hereinafter.

It will be noted that if the lower wall frame member 101 is supported by the lath members 100, this insures maintaining tension therein. However, the lath members 85 and 100 may also be tensioned to the desired extent during assembly by pulling on the tongues 247 as they are bent around the members 65 and 101.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, it will be noted that the roof and wall lath members 85 and 100 cannot be connected at their ends to the cave member 65 and the lower wall frame member 101 in the foregoing manner at the points where the frame members 65 and 101 are connected to the auxiliary supporting members 64 and 66 because of the presence of the particular interconnecting fittings shown. At such points, I employ the roof and wall latch members 85a and 100a which, as best shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, are shortened and are supported by adjacent ones of the roof and wall lath members 85 and 100, respectively, the shortened lath members 85a and 100a being connected to the full-length lath members 85 and 100 by members 255, 256, 257, 258, 259 and 260 which, in addition to supporting the lath members 85a and 100a, also serve to maintain a predetermined spacing between the various lath members to which they are connected.

A feature of the present invention is to provide spacing members, i.e., the members 255, 256, 257, 258, 259 and 260 which may be connected to the desired lath members readily, the preferred construction for the spacing members being illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawrngs. Referring thereto, each of the spacing members comprises a strip 262, preferably of. metal, e.g., aluminum, having its edges cut to provide a plurality of pairs 263 of tabs 264, adjacent ones of the pairs of tabs being on opposite edges of the strip and the tabs of each pair extending longitudinally of the strip in opposite directions and being bendable about axes 265 extending transversely of the strip. As best shown in Fig. 8, the tabs 264 of each pair 263 may be bent outwardly to receive one of the channel-shaped lath members 85, 85a, 100, or ltltla therebetween, and the ends of the tabs are then bent inwardly, as indicated by the numerals 266, around the edge portions of the lath member, thus securing the strip to the lath member. It will be apparent that by bending the tabs 264 of adjacent pairs 263 around the edge portions of adjacent lath members in this manner, such lath members may be rigidly connected together to maintain a predetermined spacing therebetween, or to permit one lath member to support another. One feature of the invention resides in locating adjacent pairs 263 of the tabs 26.4. at opposite edges of the strip 262, it being apparent that this permits spacing the pairs of tabs more closely together longitudinally of the strip.

The previously mentioned spacing members 255, 256, 257, etc., may be formed by cutting areas of the prope length from the strip 262 so as to obtain spacing members of the desired length. Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the spacing member 255, for, example, corn:

prises four pairs 263 of tabs and is used to connect two adjacent shortened roof lath members 85a to two adjacent full-length roof lath members 85. Each of the spacing members 256, 258 and 260 includes two pairs 263 of tabs, the spacing member 256 serving to connect a roof lath member 85a to an adjacent roof lath member 85, and each of the spacing members 258 and 269 serving to connect a shortened wall lath member 100a to an adjacent full-length wall lath member 160. Each of the spacing members 257 and 259 includes five pairs 263 of tabs and serves to connect two shortened Wall lath members 100a which are located on opposite sides of the supporting member 66 to adjacent full-length wall lath members 100. As best shown in Fig. 1 the supporting member 66 serves as a substitute for a wall lath member 100, i.e., it occupies the space between two shortened wall lath members 100a.

In order to maintain a predetermined spacing between the wall lath members, in particular intermediate their ends, I prefer to employ additional spacing members which are similar to the spacing members described previously, at least one such spacing member being used between each pair of supporting members, as best shown in Fig. 1. I prefer to employ at least one spacing member 269 extending transversely of the wall lath members 100 and 100a substantially from the supporting member 64 to the supporting member 66 and a spacing member 270 extending between the supporting member 66 and the next supporting member, not shown.

Spacing members similar to the members 255 to 260 are used throughout the structure wherever the fittings connecting two or more frame members, or connecting one or more frame members and a supporting member, necessitate the use of the shortened roof or wall lath members 8501 or 100a. Also, spacing members such as the members 269 and 270 may also be used throughout the structure to maintain predetermined spacings between the wall lath members intermediate their ends. If desired, such spacing members may also be used intermediate the ends of the roof lath members.

The percentage of light and/ or rain which is to be excluded from the interior of the structure may be varied by varying the spacing between the lath members, particularly the roof lath members, and/orby varying the angles between the edge portions 246 of the lath members and the base portions 245 thereof. With the particular construction illustrated in the drawings, approximately 60% of the light and/or rain incident on the roof will be excluded by the lath members, although this value may be increased or decreased as desired without departing from the spirit of the invention. Also, in the event that the exclusion of all rain falling on the roof lath members is not desired, these lath members may be mounted in inverted positions, i.e., with the open sides of the channels facing downwardly.

In Fig. 9 of the drawings I show a lath member 304 which is adapted to be connected to a frame member, e.g., a frame member 295, by a tongue or band 305 which encircles the frame member and whose free end is attached to the lath member by a fastening element such as a screw 306 or the like. In all other respects, the lath member 304 is substantially identical to the lath members described previously herein.

In Figs. 10 to 23 of the drawings, I show additional lath member embodiments which will now be considered in detail. Referring particularly to Figs. 10 to 13, the embodiment illustrated therein comprises a lath member 310 which is similar to the previously described lath members 85 and 100 in that it is channel-shaped and is provided with a tongue 311 which terminates in a tab 312 of reduced size. At points spaced from the inner end of the tongue 311, the lath member 310 is provided with a pair of spaced, transverse slits 313, the material between the slits being deformed downwardly to provide a strap 314 around which the tab 312 is adapted to be bent. In Figs. 12 and 13, I show the lath member 310 connected to a frame member 315, the method of attachment of the lath member to the frame member being as follows: The tongue 311 is first bent around the frame member 315 and the tab 312 at the outer end thereof is then inserted through the opening between the strap 314 and the body portion of the lath member. Subsequently, the outer end of the tab 312 is bent back toward the frame member 315, as indicated by the numeral 316, to lock the tongue with respect to the body portion of the lath member, a suitable tool preferably being employed to draw the tab 312 through the opening between the strap 314 and the body portion of the lath member 310 so as to tighten the loop formed by the tongue 311 around the frame member 315 and tension the lath member itself. If desired, the tab 312 may be provided with a hole 317 therein for the reception of a pin or the like on a suitable tool (not shown) for tightening the loop formed by the tongue 311.

Referring to Figs. 14 to 16 of the drawings, I show a preferred lath member 320 which is also channel-shaped and which is provided with a tongue 321 having a pair of transversely extending tabs 322 at its outer end, the body portion of this lath member having a pair of slots 323 which are adapted to receive the respective tabs 322. The lath member 320 may be attached to a frame member 324 by bending the tongue 321 around the frame member and then inserting the tabs 322 into the respective slots 323. Subsequently, the tabs 322 are bent toward each other, or clinched, to lock the tongue 321 with respect to the body portion of the lath member 320. This embodiment is the strongest of the group herein shown as tension in the lath member is transmitted to the tabs 322 in a direction along the length thereof and as the longitudinal slots 323 do not substantially weaken the lath member.

In Figs. 17 to 19 of the drawings, 1 show a lath member 327 having a tongue 328 which is provided with a pair of transversely spaced notches 329 in its edges adjacent its outer end. The body portion of the lath member 327 is slitted to provide a pair of transversely spaced tabs 330 which may be bent downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 17. The lath member 327 is adapted to be attached to a frame member, such as a frame member 331, by bending the tongue 328 therearound so that the tabs 330 are inserted in the notches 329 in the tongue. Subsequently, the tabs 330 are bent toward each other, as indicated in Fig. 19, to secure the lath member 327 to the frame member 331. The outer end of the tongue 328 may also be bent back toward the frame member 331, as indicated by the numeral 332 in Fig. 19, to further lock the end of the tongue 328 with respect to the body portion of the lath member 327.

Referring now to Figs. 20 to 23 of the drawings, I show a lath member 335 which is channel-shaped and which is provided with a tongue 336, the body portion of the lath member including a base portion 337, and doubled edge portions 338. The tongue 336 is provided with a pair of transversely spaced tabs 339 adjacent its outer end, the tabs being formed at angles with respect to the tongue which conform to the angles between the edges portions 338 and the body portion 337 of the lath member, and being adapted to embrace the edge portions of the lath member. The tabs 339 are provided with holes 340 therein which are adapted to register with holes 341 in the edge portions 338 of the lath member 335.

In order to attach the lath member 335 to a frame member, such as the frame member 342 shown in Figs. 21 and 22, the tongue 336 thereon is bent around the frame member and is further bent adjacent the tabs 339 to bring the holes 340 in the tabs into registry with the holes 341 in the edge portions 338 of the lath member. Subsequently, a generally U-shaped staple-like fastening element 343 formed of wire, or the like, is employed to secure the tongue 336 to the body portion of the lath member 335. As best shown in Fig. 23 of the drawings,

the fastening element 343 is provided with arms 344 which may be inserted through the holes 340 in the tabs 339 and the holes 341 in the edge portions 338 of the lath member 335. Subsequently, the ends of the arms 344 of the fastening element 343 may be bent outwardly over the edge portions 338 of the lath member 335 and the ends of the tabs 339, as indicated by the numerals 345, to lock the fastening element with respect to the lath member. The fastening element 343 thus securely locks the outer end of the tongue 336 with respect to the body portion of the lath member 335, and, if desired, a further locking action may be provided by bending the outer end of the tongue back toward the frame member 342, as indicated by the numeral 346 in Fig. 22.

It will be understood that any of the various lath members illustrated in Figs. 9 to 23 of the drawings, viz., the lath members 304, 310, 320, 327 and 335, may be substituted for the lath members 85 and 100 hereinbefore described.

It will be understood that the relative widths of the tongues and body portions of the various channel-shaped lath members hereinbefore discussed may also be attained. Such spacings between the channel-shaped roof lath members 85 may be desirable in instances where substantially complete exclusion of sunlight, and particularly rainfall, is necessary.

Although various materials may be employed, I prefer to utilize aluminum and/or aluminum alloys for all of the major components of the structure hereinbefore disclosed, The principal advantage of employing aluminum and/or aluminum alloys is that the resulting structure is extremely light, thus facilitating erection thereof and avoiding any necessity for supporting extremely large weights in the completed structure. I have found that 528, an aluminum alloy comprising 2.5% magnesium and 0.25% chromium, may be employed particularly advantangeously.

Although I have described various exemplary embodiments of my invention herein for purposes of illustration, it will be appreciated that various changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated therein without necessarily departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, I hereby reserve the right to all such changes, modifications, and substitutions as properly come within the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 9,822, filed February 20, 1948, and now abandoned.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a lath structure, the combination of: substantially parallel, upper and lower frame members; supporting means rigidly connected to said upper frame member only; and a plurality of spaced, substantially parallel lath members extending between said upper and lower frame members, each of said lath members being connected at its ends to said upper and lower frame members, respectively, said lower frame member being suspended from said upper frame member by and being supported solely by said lath members so that the weight of said lower frame member tensions said lath members.

2. A lath structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said supporting means for said upper frame member comprises a pair of spaced supporting members to which said upper frame member is rigidly connected at its ends, and wherein said lower frame member is in the same vertical plane as said upper frame member and is slidable relative to said supporting members.

3. In a late structure, the combination of: a pair of spaced frame members; and a plurality of lath members extending between said frame members, each of said lath members having two end portions which are looped around said frame members, respectively, said end portions being of lesser width than said lath members so that said lath members may be spaced apart a distance less than the width of members which may be disposed between said end portions.

4. In a lath structure, the combination of: a frame member; a plurality of first lath members arranged in spaced, substantially parallel relationship and each having an end portion of reduced width which is looped around said frame member; and a plurality of second lath members arranged in spaced, substantially parallel relationship and each having an end portion of reduced width which is looped around said frame member, said end portions of said second lath members being interposed between said end portions of said first lath members.

5. A lath structure according to claim 4 wherein said first lath members form at least a portion of a roof of said lath structure, and wherein said second lath members form at least a portion of a wall of said lath structure.

6. In a lath structure, the combination of: a frame member; a plurality of first lath members arranged in spaced, substantially parallel relationship and extending in one direction from said frame member, each of said first lath members being channel-shaped in cross section and having two sides and a base, said base of each of said first lath members having an extension of reduced width looped around said frame member; and a plurality of second lath members arranged in spaced, substantially parallel relationship and extending in another direction from said frame member, each of said second lath members being channel-shaped in cross section and having two sides and a base, each of said bases of said second lath members having an extension of reduced width looped around said frame member, said base extensions of said second lath members being interposed between said base extensions of said first lath members.

7. In a lath structure, the combination of: a frame member; and a channel-shaped lath member having a base and two sides, said base having-at one end an extension forming a tongue of reduced width, said tongue having a tab of further reduced width thereon, said base having therein a slot for said tab intermediate said sides of said lath member, said tongue being looped around said frame member and said tab being inserted through said slot and clinched.

8. A lath structure as defined in claim 7 wherein said tongue is provided with two tabs respectively located adjacent opposite edges thereof, and wherein said base is provided with two slots respectively receiving said tabs and respectively located adjacent said sides of said lath member, said tabs being clinched.

References (Iited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 8 17, 508

Niele Apr. 10, 1906 888,584 Bryant May 26, 1908 1,000,088 Haas Aug. 8, 1911 1,001,267 Hetrick Aug. 22, 1911 1,325,824 Agier Dec. 23, 1919 1,406,916 Arnold Feb. 14, 1922 1,668,651 McKinnon May 8, 1928 1,942,713 Klinka Jan. 9, 1934 2,229,129 Riegelman Jan. 21, 1941 2,339,992 Hohmeister Jan. 25, 1944 2,444,309 Powell June 29, 1948 2,520,314 Harris Aug. 29, 1950 2,573,239 Barrett Oct. 30, 1951 2,676,433 Estey Apr. 27, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 39,212 France July 28, 1931 568,426 Great Britain Apr. 4, 1945 613,305 Great Britain Nov. 24, 1948 

